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Thread started 12/06/14 3:33am

robertgeorgeak
abob

John Taylor speaks about Prince

Currently reading John Taylor's (bassist for Duran Duran) excellent autobiography. He writes a little passage about Prince...

When Prince came to London for a run of shows at Wembley (Lovesexy), we all trotted along to see him. Afterwards, he gave an impromptu performance at the Roof Gardens in Kensington, and one of his roadies asked me if I would like to join him onstage.
I knew better. 'Not tonight thanks.'
Eric Clapton took the bait. Watching Eric on the tiny stage, the Purple One behind him, now on drums, now on keyboards, now on guitar, I was glad I resisted. Eric didn't know what was going on. It was Prince's room.
We all got caught up in Prince fever that week. Nick asked Nile (Rodgers) for a lesson in minor sevenths, the funk chords made famous by James Brown and now being reinvented by Prince. The lesson was most fruitful, with the two of them building the basis for the song 'Notorious'.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #1 posted 12/06/14 3:40am

Marco81

That was during the Parade tour, not Lovesexy...
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Reply #2 posted 12/06/14 3:43am

robertgeorgeak
abob

So it is. My bad.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #3 posted 12/06/14 6:31am

SchlomoThaHomo

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Thanks for sharing. Duran was my absolute fave growing up. I need to pick up JT's book.

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #4 posted 12/06/14 8:35am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Thanks for sharing. Duran was my absolute fave growing up. I need to pick up JT's book.



Just this minute finished it. Highly recommend it.
Duran were the first band I really got into. Often dismissed as poser pop music but songs like The Chauffeur, New Religion, Skin Trade, Do You Believe In Shame are classics.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #5 posted 12/06/14 8:49am

SchlomoThaHomo

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robertgeorgeakabob said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Thanks for sharing. Duran was my absolute fave growing up. I need to pick up JT's book.

Just this minute finished it. Highly recommend it. Duran were the first band I really got into. Often dismissed as poser pop music but songs like The Chauffeur, New Religion, Skin Trade, Do You Believe In Shame are classics.

I love all of those, and am recently re-obsessed with "Serious." They're one of the few bands who never disappoint me with a record. Even if I'm not 100% into every song, I always feel like they've adhered to a very high standard, and put a lot of thought into what they do.

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #6 posted 12/06/14 11:26am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:



robertgeorgeakabob said:


SchlomoThaHomo said:

Thanks for sharing. Duran was my absolute fave growing up. I need to pick up JT's book.



Just this minute finished it. Highly recommend it. Duran were the first band I really got into. Often dismissed as poser pop music but songs like The Chauffeur, New Religion, Skin Trade, Do You Believe In Shame are classics.

I love all of those, and am recently re-obsessed with "Serious." They're one of the few bands who never disappoint me with a record. Even if I'm not 100% into every song, I always feel like they've adhered to a very high standard, and put a lot of thought into what they do.



Just listening to Serious. Forgot how good that song is! Such a great melody and Simon's vocal is (as usual) gorgeous. Think I'll revisit The Wedding Album now...Come Undone, Ordinary World...blissful!! smile
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #7 posted 12/06/14 12:45pm

ufoclub

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A few years ago, okay maybe it was 6 years ago, I got to be the camera guy with one reporter (Rebecca Spera) to interview Duran Duran after one of their concerts here in Houston. Before the informal interview at an afterparty at a socialites house, I got to actually make some small talk with John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, and of course I just asked them about how they were using Prince loops during one of their songs just a few hours before.

John Taylor seemed really tall.

I would have never ever predicted back in 1984 that one day I would be talking to John Taylor about Prince! Even if it was for just a few minutes.

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Reply #8 posted 12/06/14 1:01pm

robertgeorgeak
abob

ufoclub said:

A few years ago, okay maybe it was 6 years ago, I got to be the camera guy with one reporter (Rebecca Spera) to interview Duran Duran after one of their concerts here in Houston. Before the informal interview at an afterparty at a socialites house, I got to actually make some small talk with John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, and of course I just asked them about how they were using Prince loops during one of their songs just a few hours before.



John Taylor seemed really tall.



I would have never ever predicted back in 1984 that one day I would be talking to John Taylor about Prince! Even if it was for just a few minutes.





Cool experience mate!
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #9 posted 12/06/14 1:29pm

NDRU

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"teach us of minor 7th chords, Obiwan!"

I find it difficult to believe that they didn't already know, but I did always think Nororious was Prince inspired

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Reply #10 posted 12/06/14 1:36pm

SchlomoThaHomo

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ufoclub said:

A few years ago, okay maybe it was 6 years ago, I got to be the camera guy with one reporter (Rebecca Spera) to interview Duran Duran after one of their concerts here in Houston. Before the informal interview at an afterparty at a socialites house, I got to actually make some small talk with John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, and of course I just asked them about how they were using Prince loops during one of their songs just a few hours before.

John Taylor seemed really tall.

I would have never ever predicted back in 1984 that one day I would be talking to John Taylor about Prince! Even if it was for just a few minutes.

Very cool! What did he say about Prince? I know they're all fans, as they've been mentioning him in interviews for decades. I'd love to chat up Nick someday. He seems quite cheeky.

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #11 posted 12/06/14 1:59pm

Angelsoncrack

I can't remember reading this chapter of JT's book, but I certainly will dig it out and re-read it. I personally enjoyed Andy Taylors autobiography more than JT's but thats just my preference.

I actually really love Duran. They're one of my favourite bands.

I think people often see them as just another one of those bubblegum pop bands of the eighties because of their image but in reality, they were very competent musicians.

I mean, yeah the fact they were all really cute boys probably didn't hurt record sales, I'm not denying that, but comparing Duran to say- One Direction is just ludicrous. My biggest pet peeve is when I hear people say stuff like 'One Direction are the Duran Duran of today'. Bollocks. Duran could play. One Direction are sock puppets put together by a record company to sell mediocre music to make rich buisness men richer.

But yeah, did any of you hear their latest album? 'All you need is now'? I think its a great record.

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Reply #12 posted 12/06/14 2:20pm

robertgeorgeak
abob

Angelsoncrack said:

I can't remember reading this chapter of JT's book, but I certainly will dig it out and re-read it. I personally enjoyed Andy Taylors autobiography more than JT's but thats just my preference.



I actually really love Duran. They're one of my favourite bands.


I think people often see them as just another one of those bubblegum pop bands of the eighties because of their image but in reality, they were very competent musicians.


I mean, yeah the fact they were all really cute boys probably didn't hurt record sales, I'm not denying that, but comparing Duran to say- One Direction is just ludicrous. My biggest pet peeve is when I hear people say stuff like 'One Direction are the Duran Duran of today'. Bollocks. Duran could play. One Direction are sock puppets put together by a record company to sell mediocre music to make rich buisness men richer.



But yeah, did any of you hear their latest album? 'All you need is now'? I think its a great record.



It's in the section of his book that covers the Notorious era.
I agree with you about them being overlooked musically. Duran were instinctive musicians, always looking to push themselves. When they began JT was playing Chic lines over new wave synth pop and it gave them a groove that lifted them above their peers. Later he changed from simple rhythm to really melodic playing.
And Simon Le Bon is simply one of England's finest lyricists.
The best compliment I can pay to the boys is that they have never made the same record twice.
Really liking the new album, especially Blame The Machines.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #13 posted 12/06/14 3:17pm

vinaysfunk

I don't blame John Taylor for declining to play with Prince. Most of us here know that Prince is notorious for showing off when playing with well known musicians in his early years. He seems to have matured on that point and seems much more gracious when now sharing the stage. I mean who the hell could have kept up with him musically during the 80's? Not many. I think he did the same think to Sting and Ron Wood if I am not mistaken. John knew not to take the bait.

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Reply #14 posted 12/06/14 10:44pm

ufoclub

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SchlomoThaHomo said:

ufoclub said:

A few years ago, okay maybe it was 6 years ago, I got to be the camera guy with one reporter (Rebecca Spera) to interview Duran Duran after one of their concerts here in Houston. Before the informal interview at an afterparty at a socialites house, I got to actually make some small talk with John Taylor and Nick Rhodes, and of course I just asked them about how they were using Prince loops during one of their songs just a few hours before.

John Taylor seemed really tall.

I would have never ever predicted back in 1984 that one day I would be talking to John Taylor about Prince! Even if it was for just a few minutes.

Very cool! What did he say about Prince? I know they're all fans, as they've been mentioning him in interviews for decades. I'd love to chat up Nick someday. He seems quite cheeky.

Basically, I mentioned that during the concert I thought it was really cool that they played one of their singles (it was either "All she Wants Is" or "I Don't Want Your Love") over a sampled SOTT beat. John Taylor seemed to appreciate it and said it was actually Mark Ronson's idea from when he and they did a special concert at The Louvre. John then asked me if I had noticed another Prince thing he was doing... playing the synth bass line from Hot Thing on his bass guitar as well. Well, that was about it. It's wasn't about them working or hanging with Prince. They were really cool.... but Simon Lebon wasn't there at the party.

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Reply #15 posted 12/06/14 11:28pm

SchlomoThaHomo

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ufoclub said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Very cool! What did he say about Prince? I know they're all fans, as they've been mentioning him in interviews for decades. I'd love to chat up Nick someday. He seems quite cheeky.

Basically, I mentioned that during the concert I thought it was really cool that they played one of their singles (it was either "All she Wants Is" or "I Don't Want Your Love") over a sampled SOTT beat. John Taylor seemed to appreciate it and said it was actually Mark Ronson's idea from when he and they did a special concert at The Louvre. John then asked me if I had noticed another Prince thing he was doing... playing the synth bass line from Hot Thing on his bass guitar as well. Well, that was about it. It's wasn't about them working or hanging with Prince. They were really cool.... but Simon Lebon wasn't there at the party.

Thanks for sharing that. I always thought "I Don't Want Your Love" sounded inspired by "Hot Thing," and "It's No Crime," by Babyface sounded inspired by "I Don't Want Your Love."

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #16 posted 12/07/14 9:02am

lwr001

vinaysfunk said:

I don't blame John Taylor for declining to play with Prince. Most of us here know that Prince is notorious for showing off when playing with well known musicians in his early years. He seems to have matured on that point and seems much more gracious when now sharing the stage. I mean who the hell could have kept up with him musically during the 80's? Not many. I think he did the same think to Sting and Ron Wood if I am not mistaken. John knew not to take the bait.

And Lenny Kravitz...My sister was a producer of a show he did at teh Apollo back mid 90's.. Karvitz came on to perform with Prince during Peach.. She stated that whne Lenny came off stage he was fuming as Prince didn't tell hm what key he was in and couldnt keep up.. It was a let me pit you in your place moment for Lenny..lolzzzzzzzzzz

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Reply #17 posted 12/07/14 9:31am

robertgeorgeak
abob

NDRU said:

"teach us of minor 7th chords, Obiwan!"

I find it difficult to believe that they didn't already know, but I did always think Nororious was Prince inspired



That rhythm guitar lick has an echo of Kiss.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #18 posted 12/07/14 9:33am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:



ufoclub said:




SchlomoThaHomo said:



Very cool! What did he say about Prince? I know they're all fans, as they've been mentioning him in interviews for decades. I'd love to chat up Nick someday. He seems quite cheeky.



Basically, I mentioned that during the concert I thought it was really cool that they played one of their singles (it was either "All she Wants Is" or "I Don't Want Your Love") over a sampled SOTT beat. John Taylor seemed to appreciate it and said it was actually Mark Ronson's idea from when he and they did a special concert at The Louvre. John then asked me if I had noticed another Prince thing he was doing... playing the synth bass line from Hot Thing on his bass guitar as well. Well, that was about it. It's wasn't about them working or hanging with Prince. They were really cool.... but Simon Lebon wasn't there at the party.



Thanks for sharing that. I always thought "I Don't Want Your Love" sounded inspired by "Hot Thing," and "It's No Crime," by Babyface sounded inspired by "I Don't Want Your Love."



The bass-line in I Don't Want Your Love is indeed similar to Hot Thing.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #19 posted 12/07/14 10:52am

NDRU

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robertgeorgeakabob said:

NDRU said:

"teach us of minor 7th chords, Obiwan!"

I find it difficult to believe that they didn't already know, but I did always think Nororious was Prince inspired

That rhythm guitar lick has an echo of Kiss.

definitely!

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Reply #20 posted 12/08/14 1:50am

artist76

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He has spoken of Prince many many times that I know of, including a talk at UCLA about the Internet. He mentioned him in old interviews too that I've dug up on YouTube, back when he was obviously suffering from drug abuse or something. He praised P's music for Batman, said it was underutilized in the film.

He's only got admiration for P.
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